I am a
40 year old man with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive hereditary
neurological disease. I have symptoms of pain, difficulty walking, restless leg
syndrome and pain and cramps in my hands. I have tried various pain control
medications and muscle relaxant drugs, but all of these have undesirable
side-effects. I have also undergone surgery on my ankles to reduce pain and
prevent further disability. I have used cannabis for many years both
recreationally and medicinally with no problems except one; I have a criminal
record! I was cautioned last year for possession of one herbal reefer for my own
personal use after a police sniffer dog picked me out in the street. This
resulted in a 5 year criminal record.. Before my disability affected me to the
current level I worked as a registered nurse, and now I continue to work in the
health service but in a more advisory capacity. I am a specialist nurse in the
field of addictions and therefore have a fairly sound knowledge of the damage
that drug use can do to an individual. My future is now jeopardized by this
'caution' because it could damage my reputation as a health worker and prevent
me from working with 'vulnerable people' again. The laws on cannabis only came
about because of deliberate misinformation and lack of understanding. I believe
it is my duty as a health worker and as a disabled person to fight the prejudice
and ignorance that is perpetuated to prevent the use of cannabis as a medicine.
I was never in trouble with the police in my life until last year, and now I
have been criminalized for using a drug that helps with my symptoms. I will
continue to use cannabis despite this caution and in spite of the risks of
further arrest. I sincerely hope for my children’s sake that this situation
changes in their lifetime, if not in my own.

As for
the benefits of cannabis, these are sustained for several hours following
smoking a small marijuana joint over the course of a day. I never use tobacco
and alcohol, which are contra-indicated for my disease.. I try not to smoke
until late in the day, as I do not want to get too stoned. The effect of being
stoned is pleasant, to say the least, but it is not conducive to my daily
routine. I never smoke before or during work for that reason. I also feel that
it takes some time to 'learn' how cannabis affects each individual and therefore
it is not easy to suggest appropriate doses.

My
muscle cramps are the first thing to disappear, approximately 5-10 minutes after
a smoke. Then pain disappears in my legs and hands. I usually will not require
a second 'dose' for an hour or two. In CMT balance is affected adversely, and
with this in mind I try to avoid getting too stoned if I am up on my feet. But
paradoxically, I am a lot more careful and in some ways more spatially aware
when I smoke, so it levels out risk and benefit.